Consolidated Statements of Loss - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net operating revenues (see Note 1)	$ 3,453	$ 3,451	$ 3,562	$ 3,689	$ 3,059	$ 3,666	$ 4,144	$ 4,486	$ 14,155	$ 15,353	$ 18,438
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits									6,384	7,376	8,624
Supplies									2,355	2,672	3,011
Other operating expenses									3,496	3,864	4,248
Government and other legal settlements and related costs									11	(31)	16
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement									(4)	(28)	(70)
Rent									337	394	450
Depreciation and amortization									700	861	1,100
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net									668	2,123	1,919
Total operating costs and expenses									13,947	17,231	19,298
Income (loss) from operations									208	(1,878)	(860)
Interest expense, net of interest income of $7, $11, and $14 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively									976	931	962
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt									(31)	40	30
Gain on sale of investments in unconsolidated affiliates											(94)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates									(22)	(16)	(43)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(369)	(204)	(129)	(13)	(2,379)	(147)	(131)	(176)	(715)	(2,833)	(1,715)
Benefit from income taxes									(11)	(449)	(104)
Loss from continuing operations	(299)	(308)	(91)	(6)	(2,004)	(88)	(116)	(176)	(704)	(2,384)	(1,611)
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
Loss from operations of entities sold or held for sale										(6)	(7)
Impairment of hospitals sold or held for sale									0	(6)	(8)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes					(3)	(2)	(6)	(1)		(12)	(15)
Net loss									(704)	(2,396)	(1,626)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									84	63	95
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (328)	$ (325)	$ (110)	$ (25)	$ (2,013)	$ (110)	$ (137)	$ (199)	$ (788)	$ (2,459)	$ (1,721)
Basic loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ (2.91)	$ (2.88)	$ (0.97)	$ (0.22)	$ (17.95)	$ (0.96)	$ (1.17)	$ (1.78)	$ (6.99)	$ (21.89)	$ (15.41)
Discontinued operations					(0.03)	(0.02)	(0.06)	(0.01)		(0.11)	(0.13)
Net loss	(2.91)	(2.88)	(0.97)	(0.22)	(17.98)	(0.98)	(1.22)	(1.79)	(6.99)	(22.00)	(15.54)
Diluted loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
Continuing operations	(2.91)	(2.88)	(0.97)	(0.22)	(17.95)	(0.96)	(1.17)	(1.78)	(6.99)	(21.89)	(15.41)
Discontinued operations					(0.03)	(0.02)	(0.06)	(0.01)		(0.11)	(0.13)
Net loss	$ (2.91)	$ (2.88)	$ (0.97)	$ (0.22)	$ (17.98)	$ (0.98)	$ (1.22)	$ (1.79)	$ (6.99)	$ (22.00)	$ (15.54)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	112,909,869	112,865,482	112,837,944	112,291,496	111,971,628	111,935,738	111,909,858	111,252,331	112,728,274	111,769,821	110,730,971
Diluted	112,909,869	112,865,482	112,837,944	112,291,496	111,971,628	111,935,738	111,909,858	111,252,331	112,728,274	111,769,821	110,730,971
Operating Revenues (Net of Contractual Allowances and Discounts) [Member]
Net operating revenues (see Note 1)										$ 18,398	$ 21,275
Provision for Bad Debts [Member]
Net operating revenues (see Note 1)										$ 3,045	$ 2,837